Interregional Cooperation Programme – INTERREG IV C
In the years 2004-2006 under the Community Initiative INTERREG Poland took part in two interregional cooperation programme:
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INTERREG III C North, (5 North Voivodeships: Zachodniopomorskie, Pomorskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Podlaskie),
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INTERREG III C East, (other Voivodeships).
The key objective of the INTERREG IIIC Programme was improvement of regional development policy and instruments efficiency, as well as improvement of cohesion through wide-scale information exchange, and mutual use of experience, especially in the field of administration.
In the new programming period 2007-2013, under the European Territorial Cooperation, only one programme is implemented - Interregional Cooperation Operational Programme - INTERREG IV C, which covers the whole European Union territory within its scope. It is participated by 27 partners from the European Union Member States and from Norway and Switzerland.
The programme provides support to activities aimed at improving efficiency of regional policy through promoting innovativeness and knowledge-based economy, as well as environmental protection and risks prevention.
The programme budget is EUR 321 million (excluding ERDF).
The funds are used also for co-financing of:
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programme for exchange of experience on development of urban areas development (based on the URBACT programme implemented by now),
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programme on identification, transfer and dissemination of “good practices” in cooperation programmes management – INTERACT II,
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programme within the scope of developing studies, collecting data, development trends observation and analysis (continuation of the ESPON programme).
Major priorities of interregional cooperation:
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Priority 1 concerns innovativeness and knowledge-based economy, and it is focused, first of all, at issues related to innovativeness, research and technology development, entrepreneurship and SMEs, information society, employment and qualifications.
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Priority 2 concerns natural environment and risk prevention and, first of all, it concerns issues related to natural and technological risks, water management, waste management, biodiversity and preservation of natural heritage, energy, sustainable transport, cultural heritage and landscape.
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Priority 3 concerns technical support to programme (technical assistance).
This programme supports two types of projects, which complement each other and help to achieve the programme objectives.
The first type of interventions covers regional initiatives – programmes launched by entities at regional and local level, which are targeted at experience exchange within a defined field of policy to recognise optimal solutions and development of new implementation tools and methods.
The other type of interventions covers projects related to capitalisation, which implies using the results of already implemented projects. That type of projects covers also the so-called fast track option. It consist in establishing networks, which connect regions eager to achieve better results in a given field.
The potential Beneficiaries of the programme can cover only public institutions and public law entities, e.g.:
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local and regional authorities,
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public institutions and organisational units appointed to provide services within the scope of environmental protection, natural and cultural heritage preservation, public transport,
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regional development agencies,
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higher education institutions,
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science and research centres,
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technology parks,
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entrepreneurship incubators,
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innovation centres,
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tourist organisations,
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emergency services,
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other institutions.
Under the INTERREG IVC programme the European Regional Development Fund co-finances up to 75% of eligible activities, or 85% of the amount, depending on the Member State in which the partner’s seat is located (determined on the basis of the address). Polish partners can achieve support in the amount up to 85% of the project budget. The 25% or 15% left, should be financed by the partners. The co-financing sources offered by the partners can differ. It can be derived from their own budget or from public sources at central, regional or local level.